HERS Inspections of New Homes

The New Solar Home Partnership (NSHP) is a ten-year, $350 million program to subsidize PV systems in new homes. The NSHP, which is being implemented by the California Energy Commission (CEC), offers performance-based rebates for PV systems on new homes that start at about $2.50 per watt and decline over the life of the program. A very important feature of the NSHP is that, in order to qualify for the rebate program, builders of new homes are required to exceed compliance with California’s energy code, Title 24, by 15% (not including the PV system). There are additional subsidies of up to $2,000 per home for those who achieve a higher level of added conservation—35% better than